Notes From the Conference-Wendy Loggia, Delacorte

This is the last of my recaps of the sessions I attended at the conference. Wendy Loggia's talk was on I Wanted To Love This: Seven reasons she might turn down your manuscript. I loved this particular talk because it showed how many variables there are in decision making, things we might not even be aware of.

1. Think about WHY someone will want to buy your book. Why will they be willing to shell out $18 for it.

2. The mss is too similar to other novels she's worked on, or too similar to others ones on the market.

3. She doesn't know who the reader is for this book. Need to have a reader in mind, know who you're writing for.

4. The writer seems like a really difficult person to work with. (Warning: she googles writers before acquiring their work! Be careful what you post to your blog and FB account! No griping, no bad-mouthing, no oversharing.)

5. May love the concept, but can't connect to the voice.

6. Submitting too early-before a book is truly ready to be read by a professional in the industry. Don't waste your one shot.

7. A project that will not stand out on Random House's list.


And in a cool little update, Nathaniel Fludd, Beastolgist is now shipping on Amazon!